I really don't know and I probably have no right to say this but, it wounds like Steve's Tangled Hangers got cut off. I really have no way of telling if that is why he left.

Another thing about the ties between Lowell George and the GDead is that Mickey Hart and Lowell ended up in a fist fight at the end of the shakedown street sessions. The way I understand it is that Lowell siad he didn't like some particular beat of Mickey's while they were closing up shop, and so Mickey hauled off and punched him and they ended up brawling out into the street. I think I read that in McNalley's book.

Would agree that between this show and October 31st there was a less than full sound in the band, but the Feat Boys do rock! Phil sent out an SOS for guitar players for the duration of the Dylan Tour, and came back with Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks. I have never been a huge Warren fan (please don't mistake that comment for me thinking that he is not a great guitarist and musician - he is!!) but I'm not crazy about his voice, or Chris Robinson's either (but that is another era of The Friends). However, Derek Trucks is an UNBELIEVABLE guitarist - listen to the Blue Sky jam on 10-31-99 to hear him wail.

This was my first time seeing Phil & Friends. They opened for Bob Dylan on this tour.

With over 50 Grateful Dead shows under my belt, this was my return to the scene. I hadn't attended any of the Other Ones or Further Fests. I had always been firmly entrenched in The Phil Zone, so I was happy to see Phil hitting the road with his own band.

This group included Paul Barrerre (guitar) and Billy Payne (Keys) from Little Feat, Steve Kimock on guitar, and John Molo no drums. As Little Feat is my second favorite band, I was THRILLED at this lineup. Ties between little feat and the Grateful Dead go way back, with ex-Feat frontman Lowell George being the producer of the Dead's 1978 LP "Shakedown Street." As this was the first show on the tour, the band was in town early for a couple days rehersal. I was fortunate enough to play golf with Paul Barrerre on 10/27, and he was a real goof (as well as a tremendous golf player). He said rehersals were going well, Phil was in good health and high sprits and predicted a fine tour.

I know that this lineup of the Phiends has gotten a bad rap over the years, but I think that has to do with this being the last show Steve Kimock played with Phil; he unexpectedly left the band after this show, and Steve hasn't had anything to do with Phil since. After Steve left, there was no real lead guitarist, and the next few nights are definitely weak.

This night, however, is FIERCE. Steve is playing some monster licks, Paul's second guitar compliments Steve quite well, and Billy's keyboard playing is (as always) top shelf. I love the rhythm changes that Molo does during The Other One, which keeps everybody on their toes. Plus this night gave me my first Pride Of Cucamonga.

I have no complaints about this night whatsoever. This show is vastly different from the rest of the Winter 1999 tour with Phil & Friends because Kimock is still on board. If you have bypassed this era of Phil & Friends because of the Little Feat connection, I urge you to give this night a chance.

Solid performance, great FOB recording... 4 stars. I know the Dylan set is out there as well from the same taper.

Sean K.